Evergreen Park Mayor Kelly Burke said the shooting incident at a local Walmart on Oct. 15 was a situation that could have been much worse if not for the police.
“This was very unfortunate and it was by folks who apparently knew each other and they took it into a public space,” said Burke during the Evergreen Park Village Board meeting Monday night.
“Obviously, this had to be horrible for the shoppers and people inside the store,” the mayor added. “But the professionalism of the police department and fire department was exceptional.”
According to police, a 23-year-old man was walking through the parking lot towards the entrance of the Walmart, 2500 W. 95th St., at about 3 p.m. Yoseph Barnes, 20, of Chicago, was seated in the back of a gray Hyundai in the parking lot. The driver remained in the car while Barnes followed the man into the store.
Police said that Barnes began chasing the man through the store where he proceeded to shoot him several times. A total of 10 shots were fired and a 70-year-old woman was also hit in the foot. A struggle occurred between the victim and Barnes after the series of shots. The victim was able to get the gun away from Barnes, police said.
Barnes then reportedly exited through the back of the store. The man suffered several gunshots to his legs and had been bleeding profusely, according to reports. He is still currently hospitalized and is in stable condition, police said.
The woman was grazed on her foot and police discovered her outside the store. She was taken to OSF Little Company of Mary Medical Center and was in good condition. Relatives said she was soon released.
Police said that Barnes knew the victim but Police Chief Michael Saunders said Monday night that they do not know what the motive was for the shooting.
“They knew each other,” Saunders said. “But why this happened, I don’t know. You have young people with guns who just don’t care. There just is evil in this world.”
Barnes, who is currently on parole from the Illinois Department of Corrections for possessing a machine gun, was ordered detained Friday morning by Cook County Judge William Fahey on a charge of attempted murder.
Police arrived within minutes after the shooting and were in pursuit of Barnes. He was found in the 9300 block of Country Club Drive and arrested. Officers had also cleared the store, which was on lockdown through the evening.
“Police were able to find the suspect within 20 minutes after the shootings,” Burke said. “Also, we also received help from the Oak Lawn police. I made sure to thank Terry Vorderer (the Oak Lawn mayor) for their help. I just want to thank Chief Saunders and the police department for all they have done.”
Trustee Carol Kyle noticed the commotion that afternoon as she was driving near Little Company.
“I noticed at least about 18 police cars on the scene,” Kyle said. “Thank you, chief. This is what you do.”
Local events
The Halloween parade will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at the Community Center, 3450 W. 97th St.
The Village Hall, 9418 S. Kedzie Ave., will be closed in observance of Veterans Day on Tuesday, Nov. 11.
Trick-or-treat
Burke said that Friday, Oct. 31, will be proclaimed as “Halloween in the Village of Evergreen Park” day. Trick-or-treat hours for the village on Halloween will take place this year from 3:30 to 7 p.m.
The mayor also proclaimed that November will be noted as “National American Indian Heritage Month” in the village. The proclamation is held through the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution American Indians Committee.